Weaving Love, Leadership and Purpose: Without Losing Ourselves - Weaving Warrior Heart series

What does it mean to love, lead, and walk with Dreaming — without abandoning yourself?

In this powerful first episode of Weaving Warrior Heart series, the raw, real struggle that gave birth to this deep reckoning of how do we carry purpose, motherhood, culture and leadership without losing ourselves? As a Barkindji woman and Warrior, mother of five, Dreaming woman, Entrepreneur, leader and a woman walking her own healing journey. I know what it feels like to be asked to love and serve in ways that are toxic and lead to burnout. I know the deep tension of holding big Dreaming, motherhood, culture, leadership, obligations, and humanity — while being grounded in who you are.

This podcast was born from the very real question: How do I hold all of this — my life, my love, my leadership, and my Dreaming — in a way that honors all of me, without losing myself?

I speak to our stories and experiences of feeling torn between calling, life and caring for others. For the mothers trying to love their children without disappearing. For the Dreaming holders carrying a vision and purpose, but struggling to hold space for their own humanity and healing.

Together, we will explore how to love, live, and lead from the seeds of who we are — the deep knowing planted by our Ancestors, our culture, and our truth.

💛 In this series, we explore:

• Why Warrior Heart was born — and my own struggles that led to this space.
• The tension of holding Dreaming, love, leadership, and humanity.
• How to break free from love and service that demands self-abandonment.
• Why this conversation is urgent for mothers, Dreaming women, and First Nations women today.
• Who this space is for — and why you are welcome here, as you are.
• What to expect from this series — love letters, real stories, reflections, and tools to help you rise without losing yourself.

This is a space for the women who are ready to stop shrinking, stop surviving, and start living, loving, and leading from their truth.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I love without breaking myself to pieces? How do I lead and carry Dreaming when the world tells me to shrink?” — then this is your space, Sis.

🔑 Key reflection

“Where in your life are you being asked to abandon yourself to be loved? And what would it look like to love from the seeds of who you are?”

🌿 Join me on this journey — and let’s walk Warrior Heart together.

summary

In this yarn, Shantelle Thompson explores the journey of Indigenous women, particularly mothers, in reclaiming their identity and power while navigating the complexities of self-acceptance, cultural sovereignty, and personal responsibility. She emphasizes the importance of balancing self-care with the obligations of motherhood and community service, advocating for a life that honors both personal dreams and collective responsibilities. Through her own experiences, she shares insights on healing, the significance of truth, and the courage required to stand in one's identity amidst societal expectations.

takeaways

• The journey of motherhood is intertwined with personal growth.
• Self-acceptance involves embracing both light and shadow.
• Cultural sovereignty is essential for personal identity.
• True love does not require self-sacrifice.
• Healing is a continuous journey that requires courage.
• We must honor our own needs to serve others effectively.
• The heart speaks truth beyond ego and trauma.
• Generational cycles can be broken through conscious choices.
• Our dreams are connected to our ancestors' legacies.
• Creating space for truth is vital for healing.